Naturex: Searching for the next Ingenium

Ingenium, Naturex’s open innovation accelerator scheme, was launched in March this year and focuses on three areas of research: original raw materials, such as botanicals or ingredients obtained through innovative farming processes; earth-friendly technologies, such as green extraction; and plant-based ingredients with clinically proven health benefits.

Most of the initiatives are still underway but its most recent success was a collaboration with botanical extracts supplier Mazza for the use of its patented pressurized low-polarity water technology to extract phytochemicals from cranberries.

Ingenium is an ongoing programme​​ and interested start-ups or researchers can submit their application year-round.

Marc Roller, chief science officer for Naturex and leader of the Ingenium Programme, told FoodNavigator it sets up a a customized project team for each new collaboration, made up of individuals from its internal staff and professional network based on the specific needs.

“Unlike more generic Open Innovation structures, our approach provides a customized multidisciplinary team of specialists to help start-ups in the different daily challenges they may encounter: scientific, technical, regulatory [and] commercial.”​

“Naturex’s main objective is to actively foster the global shift from synthetic to natural. […] Consumers are increasingly rejecting the use of artificial products and the trend towards [naturalness] is unstoppable. There is no shortage of innovative ideas in this field and we are looking forward to working successfully with those who share this vision of the future,” ​he added.